Under the Dome - The Blog: Alejo holds victory lap press conference

Oct. 9, 2013

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Under the Dome - The Blog

Assemblyman Luis Alejo presided over a "press conference" at the National Steinbeck Center on Wednesday touting what has been a remarkable year for the young lawmaker. Highlights include passage of high-profile legislation increasing the minimum wage and providing state driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.

While several members of the media were present, clearly the event had the focus and design of allowing Alejo and his friends to do some speechifying. Which they did for a solid hour.

“California is the largest state both in terms of population and economy,” Alejo said. “With California now officially taking action on wages and immigration, Congress can no longer ignore the fact that our nation needs comprehensive reform on both issues.”

Alejo’s Assembly Bill 10, which was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Sept. 25, raises California’s minimum wage to $9 in 2014 and to $10 by 2016. The measure creates the highest minimum wage in the nation and seeks to close the largest income gap that California has experienced in at least 30 years. AB 10 has also been promoted to spur the passage of similar measures in other states.

“With over 60 percent of our minimum-wage workers being 26 years of age or older, we have created a system where we pay workers less but need them to spend more,” says Alejo. “That causes middle class families to fall down the economic ladder, and it’s the reason why I’ve championed this issue for so long.”

Likewise, Alejo’s Assembly Bill 60 was signed Oct. 3. It allows undocumented immigrants in California to apply for driver’s licenses. The passage of this measure makes California the newest and largest state to join a national movement aimed at pushing Congress toward comprehensive immigration reform.

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“With AB 60, we are recognizing the needs of the many hard-working immigrants that contribute so much to California,” Alejo said. “Immigrants who drive legally are more likely to work, spend, and contribute to the economy. Those with driver's licenses will have more job opportunities available to them, which will greatly benefit business here in the Golden State.”

Wednesday’s program also highlighted a myriad of other victories from the 2013 legislative year for the 30th Assembly District. These include securing $44 million in funding for Monterey County to cope with prison realignment, providing financial relief for the troubled King City high school district, and stopping Medi-Cal rate cuts from closing two local hospitals. State victories include passing bills that address access to safe drinking water, fracking regulations, modifications to the state’s Enterprise Zone program, and a balanced budget.

The following is a rundown on some of Alejo's work this year:

AB 10 (Alejo): Adjusting the Minimum Wage:It has been six years since the minimum wage was increased in the State of California. AB 10 addresses our historic income gap by adjusting the state minimum wage. Specifically, on July 1, 2014, the minimum wage will be raised from $8.00 to $9.00 per hour. On January 1, 2016, the minimum wage will be raised to $10.00 per hour.

AB 60 (Alejo): The Safe and Responsible Driver Ac:The Safe and Responsible Driver Act grants the opportunity for any immigrant to apply for a driver’s license. AB 60 will increase safety on the road by ensuring that all drivers are properly trained, pass the driving test, know our state laws, and are insured.

AB 21 (Alejo): Small Community Safe Drinking Water Grant Fund:This bill would establish the Small Community Safe Drinking Water Grant Fund to provide immediate aid to disadvantaged communities that lack access to a safe source of drinking water. The program will provide an estimated $50 million for grants to disadvantaged communities for use for safe drinking water projects.

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AB 118 (Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee/Alejo): Drinking Water Regulation Streamlining: This bill authorizes the California Department of Public Health, when implementing the Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, to adopt interim regulations and take other actions to expedite the process of providing funds for drinking water projects, especially to severely disadvantaged communities.

AB 119 (Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee/Alejo): Water Treatment Devices:Health-conscious Californians have responded to reports of harmful contaminants in water by turning to bottled water or home water treatment units. AB 119 streamlines the state approval process for in-home water treatment devises. By removing duplicative regulations by the State Department of Public Health, AB 119 will decrease the cost to consumers and increase access to the most current water treatment.

AB 120 (Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee/Alejo): School Site Clean-up: Leaking underground fuel storage tanks pose a threat to public health and safety. AB 120 provides school districts with increased access to funding to clean up underground storage tanks through the School District Account (SDA). The SDA reimburses school districts for remedial expenses associated with leaking underground fuel tanks that are or were owned or operated by school districts.

AB 130 (Alejo): Hospital District CEO Pension Reform: This bill saves taxpayer dollars by prohibiting a healthcare district from paying retirement benefits to its chief executive officer (CEO) while he or she is still employed. The provisions of this bill would apply to CEOs that are hired or renew their contracts starting on January 1, 2014. The bill was introduced as a result of a State audit of the Salinas Valley Memorial Health Care System. The audit highlighted the fact that in 2009 the former CEO of the hospital received a $2.1 million gross payment from a supplemental retirement plan and that $917,000 was rolled into a personal individual retirement account while he continued working for another two years with an annual salary of $668,000. AB 130 prevents this type of unnecessary expenditure from happening while protecting taxpayer dollars.

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AB 730 (Alejo): Monterey Salinas Transit Bonding Authority:This bill would enable Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) to raise crucial funds in order to ensure safe, reliable and efficient operations for its passengers. In the past, the state legislature has approved substantially similar measures for the benefit of 21 other transit districts around the state. AB 730 goes a step further by specifying a set of safeguards to make sure the bond funds are used responsibly. The safeguards require the bonds to be issued by a 2/3 vote of the transit district board, put a fifty million dollar cap on the bonds, and mandate that money raised through the bonds cannot be used for projects on the former Fort Ord. Additionally, this measure specifies that the duration of bonds issued for vehicle purchases must not exceed the designated lifespan of the vehicle itself.

AB 1005 (Alejo): Adding Diversity to the California Bench:This bill adds veterans and the disabled to the recognized groups that add diversity to the California Judicial bench, and for which statistics should be kept and considered when the Governor makes judicial appointments.

We'll have more in Thursday's Under the Dome on this presser.

Jeff Mitchell is the author of The Californian's popular Under the Dome column. He always welcomes story tips and ideas. Email him at jemitchell@thecalifornian.com